STRATEGIC STREET TREE PLAN FOR MOLONG

1.0 IntroductionAround fifteen years ago Council prepared a Street Tree Master Plan for each village including Molong. The recommended species in the plan were never regarded as being absolutely fixed and immutable and the intention was to review the success or otherwise of the planting strategy. That time has now arrived.

The village of Molong is generally well served by the street plantings of various species of trees over many years. The “personality” of Molong is characterised by the colourful plantings of deciduous trees commencing with the Golden Elms on the Orange Road. Molong has many medium to large trees notably Claret Ash, Golden Ash, Liquidambar and Golden Elm. The small growing Purple Prunus has been planted in abundance. However the decline in recent years of many mature Claret Ash trees has necessitated an assessment of the existing plantings and a review of future plantings. It is the intention of this paper to address both issues.

2.0 Existing plantings and the decline of Claret Ash treesOver the last few years the gradual decline of street trees in Molong has become more evident particularly of Claret Ash trees. A recent check of Edward and Gidley Streets indicated that there were seven dead or dying Claret Ash trees in Edward Street between Smith and Lee Streets. In Gidley Street there were around forty Claret ash trees and around fourteen of these were dead or dying. There may be a few more other scattered Claret Ash trees in Molong not counted here but Gidley Street has the majority of plantings. Their decline is likely to be linked to age and drought conditions over the recent years. It is proposed to substitute another species for the Claret Ash in future plantings.

It has also been noted that many of the Purple Prunus trees have also died back. It would appear to be mainly an age issue and it is suspected that many trees of this type were planted at the same time perhaps fifty years ago and they have simply come to the end of their life span. It is proposed to continue planting this species.

The Liquidambar trees in the main street of Molong are now starting to present a colourful and uniform appearance. They have suffered in the past from what would appear to have been a deliberate effort to kill them with herbicide but have recovered. There have been concerns regarding the amount of seed pods dropped by them over autumn and winter but Council efforts to clean up the pods have been largely successful. There have also been concerns expressed about the potential for damage to the road surface and to the footpath caused by root growth. Council has however resolved to keep the trees.

In general, the streetscape of Molong has endured the long drought of recent times rather well. There will be individual exceptions of failure but generally the species that have been planted in the past have not suffered from extensive die off. This suggests that the nominated species should be largely maintained where possible.

One problem in streetscapes common to most towns and villages is the issue of successfully accommodating safe power supplies with tree planting. This is addressed below.

3.0 Power linesPower lines are always a problem in every village. Unsuitable plantings have been made at various times over the last fifty years or so. There are avenues of trees such as Golden Ash that are disfigured by pruning work to allow safe passage of power lines. The power suppliers have little option except to prune back heavily to ensure that branches do not fall across the lines or cause fires. This is a matter that should be addressed by proper species selection.

As an example it will be seen in Molong where Golden Ash trees have been planted under power lines. This is an unsuitable species for planting under or near power lines and should not be planted within six metres of them. The same principle should apply to any larger growing tree species.

Errors made in the past in regard to species selection near power lines should not be perpetuated.

4.0 Alternative species selectionAround fifteen years ago Council adopted a street tree master plan. It is now time to review and update the species selection based on experience. Since the master plan was prepared a number of new tree varieties have become more widely available. A group with much to offer is the ornamental pear varieties. It is the newer introductions that have much to offer in terms of disease resistance, hardiness, shape, size and autumn colour.

5.0 Principles to consider for species selection and placement

5.1 Power Lines For safety and beauty the species selected for planting around power lines must be carefully considered. It is recommended that only smaller species are planted. Examples of smaller species are selected varieties of the Purple Leafed Prunus and Prunus Elvins. In all cases a height not exceeding 5 metres should be the intention.

5.2 Footpaths Safe passage of pedestrians may be an issue where trees spread too widely across foot paths. This usually means that pedestrians have to detour around low branches. Remedial pruning work is then required which can disfigure the tree. More compact species should be considered for planting in these areas.

5.3 Underground services The location of services such as sewer, water and telephone should be considered when determining the best species to plant. The positioning of large growing trees near to or above underground services is to be avoided where possible.

5.4 “Native” species This term is often used and largely misunderstood. There are myths related to their care and maintenance as well. Many people regard any tree naturally occurring anywhere in Australia as a native species. This is true in the broadest sense but can not be related to specific sites. For example, the Willow Gum Eucalyptus scoparia is widely planted in the area. It naturally occurs in a small area in Queensland and nowhere else. It is therefore a native tree in the broadest sense but as it does not occur naturally in the Molong area it is as foreign to the area as any exotic deciduous tree. The common myth is that ‘native” species need less care but in fact most trees need about the same amount of care to establish and grow in the long term. “Native” trees often require more management inputs than exotic trees due to the large amounts of leaf litter, twigs, bark and gumnuts that must be constantly swept up. Native trees need to be carefully selected before being planted.

5.5 Exotic species As the floral character of Molong is so well established with exotic species it is proposed to continue this theme. There are a number of benefits. These include;

Generally less management inputs Autumn colour Winter sun Spring floral display in many cases Excellent summer shade

5.6 Alternative selections to the Claret Ash There are several varieties of ornamental pear (Pyrus species) that are now available that were not available when the original tree plan was prepared. The ornamental pears are not suitable for planting under power lines. They are a very good substitute for Claret Ash with the added benefit of more brightly coloured autumn leaves. Selection can be made from the three varieties listed below depending on planting space and proximity to power lines. Dimensions given can only be approximate as individual growing conditions, soil types, droughts, high rainfall and soil compaction will all have some effect.

5.7 Tree species and characteristics to avoid Proper selection also involves avoiding problem species and examples are given below. This is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list but it does serve to highlight those characteristics that are best avoided where possible.

Species with messy fruits White Cedar Liquidambar Palms

Species which shed large amounts of seed or material Poplars Box Elder Oaks

Species which shed large amounts of litter Eucalyptus species Kurrajong

Species with invasive roots Poplars She-oaks

Species known to become pest species in waterways Privets Palms

Species with known pest problems White Cedar (attracts White Cedar caterpillar)

Species known to cause asthmatic or allergic reactions Privet White Poplar

6.0 Preferred ornamental pears for planting

Common name “Chanticleer” PearBotanical Name Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ Natural Habitat China, Japan, KoreaHeight 10m Spread 5mDeciduous Yes, but holds its coloured leaves well into June.Leaf colour Glossy bright green in summer, red, yellow, orange in autumnTree Shape Pyramidal in shape with tight branching structureFlowers White, in spring. Fruits Pea sized, hard, brown, not numerous, persistent into winter Comments This is a more compact variety of the Callery Pear that was

planted around ten years ago in Park Street, Molong. It has been utilised for street planting in Orange.

Common Name ‘Capital’ PearBotanical Name Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’ Natural Habitat China, Japan, KoreaHeight 10mSpread 3mDeciduous YesLeaf Colour Glossy bright green in summer, reddish purple in autumnTree Shape Narrow and uprightFlowers White in springFruits Pea sized, hard, brown, not numerousComments The most narrow growing of the pears, suitable for planting

where space is restricted.

Common Name Bradford PearBotanical Name Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’Natural Habitat China, Japan, KoreaHeight 12mSpread 9mDeciduous YesLeaf Colour Glossy bright green in summer, red, orange, yellow in autumnTree Shape Broadly pyramidal to roundedFlowers White in springFruits Pea sized, hard, brown, not numerousComments A good tree for shade where space is not an issue. Now well

established in Molong in Park Street.

7.0 Preferred prunus trees for planting

Common Name ElvinsBotanical Name Prunus ‘Elvins’Natural Habitat Not knownHeight 3mSpread 3mDeciduous YesLeaf Colour Bright green aging to dark green in summerTree Shape RoundedFlowers White changing to pink in springFruits Unknown in cultivation, plant probably sterileComments A small tree long known in cultivation and valued for the

massive spring flowering that covers the entire tree. Suitable for growing under power lines where it will not obstruct foot paths it provides an alternative to the sombre leaf colour of the commonly planted purple prunus.

Common Name Fastigiate Cherry PlumBotanical Name Prunus cerasifera ‘Oakville Crimson Spire’Natural Habitat South western AsiaHeight 6mSpread 2mDeciduous yesLeaf Colour purple in summer turning bronze in autumnTree Shape Narrow upright vase shapeFlowers White in springFruits Globular to 25mm, not numerous, as for common purple prunusComments An alternative to the common purple prunus planted widely in

Molong. The narrow shape offers scope for planting near foot paths where the spread of the common purple prunus may be a problem. Not suitable for planting directly under power lines.

Common Name Cherry PlumBotanical Name Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’Natural Habitat South western AsiaHeight 5mSpread 4mDeciduous YesTree Shape Vase shaped becoming rounded with ageFlowers Pink in springFruits Globular, 25mm, not numerousComments Hardy, commonly planted in Molong

8.0 Reasons for selecting the nominated species

The nominated species were selected for several reasons.

8.1 Established in cultivation They are all well known in cultivation. Prunus ‘Crimson Spire’ is a more recent introduction than the others. However Prunus ‘Crimson Spire’ merits use in selected localities. Its colours fit well with existing plantings and its shape may fit well in horizontally confined spaces. Ornamental pears are widely planted around Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. They are also widely used as street trees in Orange and Crookwell.

8.2 Harmony of planting Depending on the available planting space particularly the horizontal space selection can be made from the above three pear varieties. Each planting location should be examined and the best variety selected for that space. This will help to ensure that the streetscape presents a harmonious united appearance.

8.3 Alternative to the common purple prunus It is noticeable especially in summer that there is a preponderance of purple leafed trees in Molong. Although this is a well established pattern of planting this variety does lend a rather sombre aspect to the overall floral aspect of Molong. This could be enlivened by planting a tree of similar height and spread but with green instead of purple leaves. This is where Prunus ‘Elvins’ could be tried.

8.4 Availability and cost The six tree varieties listed are all commercially available at reasonable cost and in advanced size. For instance an advanced ornamental pear in a 25l bag and standing around 2 metres high could be purchased for around $40 - $60.

8.5 Consistency of plant characteristics Although the ornamental pears described above have varying outline characteristics the leaf appearances tend to have a similarity. They tend to be bright green, oval in shape and glossy with wavy edges. This means that whichever pear variety is selected to fit a particular planting location the similarity in leaf appearance unites the resulting streetscape.

The two smaller varieties of Prunus are ideal for planting under power lines. Where horizontal space is limited but not vertical space the upright Purple leaf prunus has merit. There is a consistency of flower colour with the Prunus varieties and Prunus ‘Elvins’ offers scope to brighten areas where the sombre purple colour of the common purple variety may be too visually monotonous. The two could be interpanted or the purple leafed variety eventually phased out.

9.0 In conclusion - future planting strategy

The policy strategy to be followed can be summarised by a number of points in order of priority when selecting a tree species for planting. The strategy must allow a degree of flexibility to allow for variation in individual planting locations.

1. Close to or under power lines ensure only smaller growing trees are planted that will not become a hazard. Select only from the nominated Prunus species listed above or similar sized trees nominated in the existing plan growing no larger than the common purple leaf prunus. Trees of similar dimensions to the Golden Ash should not be planted any closer horizontally than say, 6 metres to power lines.

2. Replace Claret Ash trees with one of the three nominated ornamental pears listed above.

3. Continue to follow the existing plan where possible but substitute different species as outlined in points 1 and 2 above based on the merits of individual planting locations.

4 Review this planting strategy in ten years time and amend as necessary.

Illustrations of recommended tree varieties

Pyrus calleryana “Chanticleer”

Note the upright pyramidal shape of this variety.

Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’

Note the tighter more compact shape of this variety compared to Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’

Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’

Note the rounded spreading shape of this variety compared to the previous two.This variety is easily under pruned to provide a high wide shady canopy.

It has been planted in Park Street in Molong.

Prunus ‘Elvins’

Note the small stature of this tree and its rounded shape.It is noted for the prolific display of pink flowers in spring.

Prunus cerasifera ‘Crimson Spire’

Note the tight upright (fastigiate) growth form and pink spring flowers

Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’

This is the commonly planted Purple leaf prunus.Note its rounded shape compared to the previous variety.

Location / Address Number of trees for removal Priority 1 or Priority 270 Gidley Street 3 266 Gidley Street 1 164 Gidley Street 1 162 Gidley Street 1 1Cnr. Molong and Gidley Sts 2 1Cnr. Rid ell and Gidley Sts. 1 148 Gidley Street 1 140 Gidley Street 1 134 Gidley Street 2 241 Gidley Street 1 265 Gidley Street 2 267 Gidley Street 1 2106 Edward Street 2 1108 Edward Street 2 1112 Edward Street 3 1